1990 Toyota Camry Cold Start Problem

1990 TOYOTA CAMRY
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WHEATSIX
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have a 1990 Toyota Camry with 270,000 miles on it. It does not want to start when it's cold outside. But, it does crank and attempt to start. Usually the second time I try to start it, it will start right up. I know I have a part on the car that I can tell is broken, and I think it is the problem. But, my problem is that I have no idea what the part is called; therefore, I can't replace it. It is located in the same housing as the coolant temperature sensor, and it is located just below it on my car. I believe it may be the part responsible for relaying information to the cold start injector, but I'm not sure. It looks like a sensor of some sort, and it looks very similar to the coolant temperature sensor. I noticed that it was broken months ago, but it wasn't affecting the car's operation at that time. Could you tell me what this part is called and what else the problem could possibly be in case its replacement won't fix the problem?
Dec 5, 2006 at 11:43 AM
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BACKYARDMECHANIC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 337 POSTS
I think what you are refering to is called the Engine coolant temperature senor. Unlike the coolant temp senor with operates the temp gauge, this senor monitors coolant temperature and sends a voltage signal back to the cars computer which then adjust the air/fuel mixture. This could be what is causing the hard starting in cold weather. As with any senor handle with care when replacing with the new one.
You make want to remove the part first and bring it to the parts store because they may not know what it is called either, and you can match it up with the new one. Hope this helps Backyardmechanic :)
Feb 22, 2021 at 2:54 AM

Suggested Repair

Replace the engine coolant temperature sensor that signals the computer to adjust the air/fuel mixture, not the separate sender for the temperature gauge. Remove the broken part and match it at a parts store, and handle the new sensor carefully.

Conversation Summary

A 1990 Toyota Camry with high mileage cranks but is hard to start when cold, usually starting on the second try. The owner found a broken sensor-like part in the same housing as, and just below, the coolant temperature sensor and suspected it related to the cold-start injector. The expert identified it as the engine coolant temperature sensor that reports temperature to the computer for mixture control and recommended careful replacement, using the old part to match a new one.

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